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• Player Ratings: Alvaro Carreras 8.5, unlikely hero as Madrid survive Valencia test

  A shorthanded Real Madrid side managed to grind out a 2–0 win against Valencia at the Mestalla on Sunday evening, propelled by strikes from Álvaro Carreras and Kylian Mbappé.   ​With key figures like Vinícius Júnior, Jude Bellingham, and Rodrygo sidelined, Madrid’s improvised frontline found it difficult to find their rhythm for much of the encounter. Following a stagnant first half, the deadlock was finally broken in the 65th minute through a moment of individual brilliance by Carreras. ​Madrid maintained control into the final minutes, rarely looking like they would concede the equalizer. To put the game beyond reach, Mbappé slotted home his ninth goal of 2026 in stoppage time, ensuring the team returned home with all three points. ​Under the guidance of Álvaro Arbeloa, the squad has now put together a seven-match winning streak in the league, keeping them within a single point of leaders Barcelona.

  ​Real Madrid Player Ratings 

  ​GK: Thibaut Courtois — 6.9 The Belgian shot-stopper was mostly a bystander throughout the night. Valencia failed to register a single shot on target, leaving Courtois with little to do other than organize his backline during occasional set pieces. ​RB: David Jiménez — 7.1 Making his full La Liga debut, the youngster had a testing night. While he was occasionally caught out of position and missed a prime opportunity to score, he remained composed enough to avoid any catastrophic errors on the big stage. ​CB: Raúl Asencio — 7.3 Playing through a lingering injury, Asencio remains the most reliable presence in the heart of the Madrid defense. His positioning was vital in covering for Jiménez during defensive transitions. ​CB: Dean Huijsen — 8.2 Though he was physically tested by Lucas Beltrán early on, Huijsen grew into the game. He provided the long-range pass that eventually led to the second goal, adding a crucial offensive contribution to his defensive duties. ​LB: Álvaro Carreras — 8.5 The standout performer of the night. With the left flank open in the absence of Vinícius Jr, Carreras exploited the space brilliantly, culminating in a superb solo effort that gave Madrid the lead and changed the momentum of the match. ​RM: Arda Güler — 7.5 Starting deeper than usual, the Turkish international eventually moved into a more central playmaker role. Despite his high activity levels, he will be disappointed not to have created more clear-cut chances for the strikers. ​CM: Federico Valverde — 7.9 A characteristically tireless performance from the Uruguayan, though he lacked his usual creative edge. While he kept the engine room running, his passing remained safe, and he struggled to truly dictate the tempo of the game. ​CM: Aurélien Tchouaméni — 8.4 The defensive anchor was instrumental in breaking up Valencia’s counter-attacks. He effectively shielded the back four, ensuring the hosts rarely made it into the final third with any real threat. ​LM: Eduardo Camavinga — 7.3 Operating in a wide midfield role, Camavinga provided essential defensive cover. His efficiency on the ball was notable, misplacing only three passes over the course of the full 90 minutes. ​ST: Kylian Mbappé — 8.0 Denied space for most of the match by a disciplined Valencia defense, Mbappé grew visibly frustrated. However, he maintained his clinical streak by finishing a late chance to secure the win and continue his impressive scoring run. ​ST: Gonzalo García — 6.5 It was a quiet night for the young forward, who struggled to find chemistry with Mbappé. He often found himself drifted out to the wings where his impact on the game was significantly diminished.

  ​Key Substitutes

  ​Trent Alexander-Arnold (76’ for Jiménez) — 6.4 Returning from a two-month injury layoff, the Englishman looked sharp in his brief cameo, providing much-needed verticality with several passes into the final third. ​Brahim Díaz (76’ for Gonzalo) — 6.7 Made an immediate impact by providing the assist for Mbappé’s late goal, proving once again why he is such a valuable asset off the bench.

• Marc Andre Ter Stegen close to joining Girona on loan

  Barcelona veteran Marc-André ter Stegen is reportedly close to finalizing a loan move to fellow La Liga side Girona for the remainder of the season, as the 33-year-old looks to secure regular playing time ahead of this summer’s World Cup.

  Following a period of recovery from back surgery, the German international has seen his starting position usurped by summer signing Joan García, whom Hansi Flick has designated as the club’s “first choice goalkeeper.”

  Sources indicate that Ter Stegen’s decision to move 100 km north was solidified after he was left on the bench during Thursday’s Copa del Rey victory over Racing Santander.

  While the two clubs are currently “ironing out the final terms” regarding salary distribution, the veteran shot-stopper—who has amassed 423 appearances and 17 trophies during his tenure at the Camp Nou—is said to have given the green light to the deal to ensure he remains in contention for the German national team.

• Preview: Continental giants, Ivory Coast and Cameroon, battle for egos in Group F

  Ivory Coast and five-time winners Cameroon meet in a pivotal clash where the victor will secure an immediate spot in the AFCON knockout rounds.

  Defending champions Ivory Coast face off against five-time winners Cameroon this Sunday in a high-stakes encounter that could determine the leader of Group F.

  Both African heavyweights entered the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations with narrow 1-0 victories in their opening fixtures.

  With three points already secured, a win for either side at the Marrakech Stadium would officially confirm their progression to the tournament’s knockout stages.

  Ivory Coast, led by Emerse Fae, arrives with a disciplined, possession-based style that mirrored their successful 2023 campaign.

  Manchester United forward Amad Diallo provided the decisive goal in their opener against Mozambique, and he is expected to lead the attack again.

  The “Elephants” boast an impressive defensive record, having conceded only once in their last six competitive matches, and remain unbeaten in their last five meetings with the Indomitable Lions.

  Cameroon overcame significant off-field turbulence to defeat Gabon in their first match, thanks to an early strike from Levante’s Karl Etta Eyong.

  Under head coach David Pagou, the team has adopted a compact, resilient structure anchored by Bryan Mbeumo and Carlos Baleba.

  Despite the absence of veteran figures like Vincent Aboubakar and the continued omission of goalkeeper Andre Onana, the squad demonstrated a clinical edge that underlines their enduring tournament pedigree.

  Tactically, the match is expected to be a battle of experience versus youthful reorganization.

  Ivory Coast will rely on the midfield stability of Franck Kessie and Ibrahim Sangare to dictate the tempo, while Cameroon aims to exploit the pace of Mbeumo on the counter-attack.

  Both managers have reported fully fit squads, allowing for maximum tactical flexibility in what many experts consider the most significant group-stage match of the competition so far.

• Arsenal keen on Victor Valdepenas amidst Bundesliga interests

  Arsenal are actively working to sign Real Madrid’s 19-year-old versatile defender Victor Valdepenas, facing competition from major European clubs following the youngster’s successful senior debut under Xabi Alonso.

  Arsenal are reportedly ramping up their efforts to secure the signature of 19-year-old Real Madrid defender Victor Valdepenas.

  The versatile youngster, who can operate as both a center-back and a left-back, has caught the eye of Gunners boss Mikel Arteta after a string of impressive displays for Real Madrid’s youth academy.

  Valdepenas recently made his senior debut for Los Blancos under Xabi Alonso, further validating the long-standing scouting reports from the north London club.

  The Gunners are not alone in their pursuit, with Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen also closely monitoring the teenager’s situation.

  Valdepenas is under contract in Madrid until 2029, and the Spanish club is notoriously difficult to negotiate with regarding their top “La Fabrica” talents.

  However, Arsenal are reportedly preparing a “convincing offer” for the 2026 window, hoping that the promise of a more direct pathway to first-team football might tempt the defender away from the Bernabeu.

  Reflecting on the player’s recent breakthrough, Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso was full of praise for the youngster’s temperament.

  Alonso stated, “Valdepenas made his debut and I congratulate him from here, not only for his debut but for the match he played. He competed and was very steady.”

  While Madrid intend to keep their rising star, Arsenal’s strategic interest signifies their commitment to “future-proofing” a defense that has been hit by several high-profile injuries this season.

• La Liga postpones Levante vs. Villarreal clash amidst red weather warning

  The La Liga fixture between Levante and Villarreal was postponed due to a red weather warning and safety recommendations from the Valencia City Council, preventing Villarreal from immediately challenging for second place in the standings.

  The La Liga match between Levante UD and Villarreal CF, scheduled for Sunday evening, has been postponed due to a severe red weather warning issued for the Valencia region.

  La Liga confirmed the decision on Sunday morning, stating the cancellation was made “In light of the weather alert and following safety recommendations.” The new date and time for the match will be announced soon.

  The decision to call off the match was formally requested by the Valencia City Council and ratified by both the league and the Spanish Football Federation.

  This postponement limits the La Liga weekend to only nine fixtures and prevents Villarreal, who are currently one point behind Real Madrid, from having the opportunity to potentially move into second place.

  The move prioritizes the well-being of players and spectators, reflecting past precedents in the region where matches were postponed due to major weather events like Storm DANA.

  By avoiding risks associated with potential torrential rain, both Levante and Villarreal will receive an extended break during an otherwise busy segment of the season.